PKECIOUS PROMISES. 141
except we apprehend his love to us, wc can never love him again, nor dehght in him as we ought to do.
Now the Spirit is an ' earnest' of our inheritance in heaven. We are sons here indeed ; but we are not heirs invested into the blessed estate we have title to. God doth not keep all our happiness till another world, but gives us somewhat to comfort us in our absence from our husband. He gives us the Holy Ghost in our hearts, as a pledge of that glorious condi- tion, which we shall one day have eternally with him. This is the meaning of the words.
But to shew you more particularly in what regard the Spirit is called an * earnest.'
(1.) First of all, you know an earnest is used for secnritij of a contract. So the Holy Spirit doth secure us of the blessed estate we shall have in heaven for ever.
(2.) Secondbj, An earnest is imrt of the hargnin, a part of the ivhole irhich is secured. Though it is a very little part, yet it is a part. So it is with the Spirit of God in its gracious work upon our hearts. The joy of the Spirit is a part of that full joy and happiness which shall be revealed hereafter to us.
(3.) Thirdhj, An earnest is little in comparison of the whole. So the Spirit, in the work and graces thereof, is little in regard of that fulness which we shall have in heaven. But though an earnest be small in itself, yet it is great in security. A shilling secures a bargain of a thousand pounds, we see. We value an earnest not for its own worth so much as for that which it is a pledge of : for the excellent bargain and rich possession which it doth interest us into. So the Spirit of God with its blessed efiects in the soul, the joy and peace of the Spirit, cheering and reviving perplexed sinners ; this earnest, I say, though it be little in itself, yet it is great to us in respect of the assurance that we have by if.
(4.) Again, it hath the term of an earnest, because an earnest is given rather for the security of the party that receires it, than in regard of him that gives it. So God gives iis the ' earnest of the Spirit,' grace and comfort in this life, not so much for God. For he means to give us heaven and happi- ness when we are dissolved. As he hath passed his promise, so he will undoubtedly perform the same ; he is Lord and Master of his word. He is Jehovah that gives a being to his w^ord, as well as to every other thing. But notwithstanding, having to do with mistrustful, unbelieving men, he is pleased to condescend to our weakness ; he stoops to the lowest capacity, and frames his speech to the understanding of the simplest soul, for which purpose this term of earnest is here borrowed.
In these respects the Spirit of God, together with the graces of it, and the comforts it brings (for they are not divided) is called an ' earnest.' And thus having cleared the point, we will observe this doctrine for our further instruction.
That a Christian ought to he, and may he assured of his interest in God ; because, as I have said before, an earnest is given not so much for God's sake, as for our sakes. This then must needs follow from hence. Either i none have this earnest, or else those that have it may be assured of their comfoi'table condition. Otherwise God is fickle, and plays fast and loose with his children, which is blashemy to affirm. Besides, if none have this earnest, then the apostle speaks false when he saith, ' God hath stablished us, and given us the earnest of his Spirit,' which is horrible impiety once to conceive.
142 YEA AND AMEN ; OU,
Quest. If this be so, then either such aa have this seal and earnest of the Spirit may be asKiired of their estate in p;race or not. And if not, where is the fault ? Will not God really and truly vouchsafe unto his people this earnest of the Spirit in their hearts ?
Avs. Undoubtedly he will. lie is desirous that we should bo persuaded of his love in all things, and therefore we may and ought to be assured of his favour towards us. St John's whole epistle * contains Httle else but sundry marks and evidences how we may know that we are the children of God. Wherefore was Christ himself sealed of the Father to the office of Mediator ? wherefore did he die and rise again ? and wherefore doth he still make intercession for us in heaven ? That we should doubt of God's love, whenas he hath given us that which is greater than salvation, yea, greater than all the world, even his own Son ? No, certainly. Can we desire a more ample testimony of his favour than he hath already bestowed upon us ? Is it not the errand of all God's mercies to bring us nearer to himself, that we should not doubt of his love, but rest securely upon him ? Why then do we distrust the Almighty, who is truth itself, and never failed any ?